AGLOW MID- ATLANTIC REGION ANTI- HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROJECT

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1 AGLOW MID- ATLANTIC REGION ANTI- HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROJECT October 27, 2014 BACKGROUND In August 2014 at the Mid- Atlantic Regional Gathering, there was a moving panel discussion on Human Trafficking. As a result it was decided that our region would get involved in combating sex and labor exploitation within our borders. Aglow International has an Anti- Human Trafficking Ministry; and we need to follow that lead, getting seriously engaged at the local level. After considerable prayer, research and discussion we have decided under guidance of the Holy Spirit to begin with two Anti- Human Trafficking Public Workshops and to provide resources to assist in combatting trafficking. See the attached flyer and program for the Metro Washington Public Workshop. The Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC Area Public Workshops and this Resource Packet are the first steps being taken to assist the Mid- Atlantic Aglow Lighthouses, their members, churches and other organizations to learn about and to get involved in defeating sex and labor trafficking. Following is a definition of Human Trafficking: Human trafficking is modern- day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act or commercial sex involving a person (male or female) less than 18 years of age. US Department of Homeland Security A brief everyday description of the two parts of Human Trafficking follows: 1

2 Sexual Exploitation Pimps prey on victims as young as 12 to 14 years of age. 75% of child prostitutes are controlled by a pimp. More than 40% of all human trafficking incidents involve sexual trafficking of a child. A pimp; for example, with four young women and girls made $632,000 in one year. Sex trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal activities for gangs to make a profit. Social media and websites are ways child predators pursue teenagers. Forced Labor Labor- trafficked people can be found in restaurants, construction sites, nail salons, domestic and agricultural situations. Approximately 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year. Human trafficking generates $32 billion annually. The Virginia/Maryland/DC and North Carolina areas are hot spots for human trafficking as a result of the major interstate highways, international airports, many airport hotels, and an abundance of rest stops, truck stops, bus terminals, military installations and substantial service- oriented economies. Victims and traffickers have told law enforcement that Maryland is a goldmine for human trafficking. WHAT CAN WE DO? There are many ways that we can prevent, reduce and eliminate human slavery. A list to serve as a beginning point in determining what Aglow will be doing as we tackle these affronts to our Christian beliefs follows: Pray Meeting, Walking, Driving Foster Awareness & Prevention Church Mobilization & Partnerships Care for Victims Establish Impact Ministries, Outreach and Counseling 2

3 Reach out to Colleges and Schools Curb Demand Donate Report real or potential trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling The number of Hotline calls between 2007 and 2014 was: VA 2,611; DC 2,382; NC 2,336; MD 2,287 Attached, from The Samaritan Women, is a comprehensive list of suggestions for What you can do to reduce/eliminate human slavery. RESOURCES There is no shortage, in fact there is an abundance, of information available to help get started. All a person needs to do is Google Human Trafficking or Human Trafficking in (name the area; for example, Northern Virginia) to get access to many useful websites and related information. Websites: Following is a list of some helpful websites. In many cases the non- governmental providers are faith- based organizations: (click on get involved, then ministries, then Anti- Human Trafficking ; also sign- up for the newsletter) (Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative) Many local, state and federal agencies have Human Trafficking websites or trafficking information on their websites; for example: Fairfax County Police Department Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services US Department of Homeland Security Federal Bureau of Investigation US Department of Justice 3

4 US Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Films/Videos/Power Point Presentations/Books: As seen in the attachments, copied from materials prepared by Shared Hope International and The Samaritan Women, there are many excellent products to draw from that are readily available. There are too many for us to review; however, we have seen the following and are confident they are moving and meaningful, conveying both heart- breaking and uplifting messages. Gang Trap a four- part awareness and training series presented by Shared Hope International (DVD, 60 minutes). Chosen a documentary showing how to protect children from being chosen for sex exploitation presented by Shared Hope International (DVD, 20 minutes). Chosen customized resources for youth and adults, Q & A, presentations, guides presented by Shared Hope International (CD). Tricked Inside the World of Teen Sex Trafficking presented by Fairfax County Public Schools (DVD, 9 Segments from 4 to 13minutes). Nefarious: Merchant of Souls A hard- hitting documentary that exposes the disturbing trends of modern day sex slavery (Film 1h, 36 m). Not Today - Award winning movie, None of us are free if one of us is enslaved, (Film 1h, 43 m). An Introduction to Human Trafficking, Modern Day Slavery in the United States and Maryland - presented by the Maryland Rescue and Restore Coalition (Power Point). Renting Lacy: A Story of America s Prostituted Children by Linda Smith, Founder and President, Shared Hope International (book). Very Young Girls - Documentary depicting human trafficking in an urban setting. Produced by Rachel Lloyd of GEMS in New York City. Signs of Trafficking: As part of Shared Hope International s Chosen film and related resources there is an Educator s Resource containing three main indicators that have been identified as potential signs of trafficking. The following signs are also useful to the general public: Changes in behavior Changes in lifestyle Changes in peers or their sphere of influence 4

5 The attached, Educator s Resource provides details regarding each of the three types of change in an individual being groomed for or lured into trafficking. Current Activities: There are Lighthouses, members and churches that are already engaged in Anti- Human Trafficking activities. The last attachment is a summary of the accomplishments of the MD West Area Team s Anti- Human Trafficking Initiatives. We would like to learn what you have been doing and lessons learned. Please send any information to Ed Thomas; see below. Contact: Should you have questions, suggestions or need additional information please contact Ed Thomas, Anti- Human Trafficking Coordinator for Aglow s Mid- Atlantic Region at edtho@comcast.net, , 1562 Efford Road, Pasadena, MD Success of this project will be directly related to the extraordinary efforts by the Area Team Presidents, State Prayer Coordinators, Ministry Coordinators, and each Lighthouse President to promote the Public Workshops, build attendance and, of GREATEST IMPORTANCE, TAKE ACTION. 5